Folding shoe blacking kit



Oct. 27, 1931. R w N FOLDING SHOE BLACKING KIT Filed June 15, 1928 %4Inventor Attorney Patented Oct. 27, 1931;

UNITED STATES ROSS WINSHIP, OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA FOLDING SHOE BLACKINGKIT Application filed June 15,1928. Serial No. 285,589.

My invention relates to improvements in folding shoe blacking kits andit more especially consists of the features pointed out 1n the annexedclaims.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a self contained folding shoeblacking kit that in its folded or closed position comprises a hollowsheet metal box formed of two halves substantial duplicates hingedtogether; that includes a. foot rest supported by a pair of bailspivoted in the end walls of the box halves; that on opening the box sothat the two halves lie in the same horizontal plane a supporting baseis formed for the foot rest; that because of the upturned edges of thebox halves, a receptacle whose flanged edges entirely surround the footrest is formed for the reception of any accumulated dirt which isremoved from the users footwear; that in the hollow-space of the boxhalves, room is provided for a polishing brush, a box of blacking, andthe foot rest when the halves are closed; that .by reason of the selfcontained features of the device it becomes an article of great utilityinthe home, oflice or en tour; and that an attached handle makes it easyto carry the kit from place to place.

With these and other ends in view, I illustrate in the accompanyingdrawings such instances of adaptation as will disclose the broadunderlying features of my invention without limiting myself to thespecific details shown thereon and described herein.

Figure 1 is a side elevation opened.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the foot rest and its supporting bails.

Fig. 3 is an end View of the kit closed showing achange of position ofthe foot rest and bails in dotted lines when the kit is opened.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the box portion with its front edgebroken away.

In practically carryingout my device I may use whatever alternatives ofconstruction the exi encies of varvin ractical con-.

ditions may demand without departing from the broad spirit of myinvention.

of the kit 7 The kit is very simple and compact. It is of'ample sizewhen opened and yet folds into a very small space. A foot rest 1 mayhave a group of transverse or other corrugations 4 formed at the front,and a group of similar c0rrugations5 formed at the rear end to preventslipping. In addition, a heel rest 6 may also be formed on the upperface of the foot rest. The foot rest, if desired, is reinforced by acentral rib or web 2. Near each end and on opposite sides of the rib,ears 3 may be formed. The web, ears and foot rest'may becast in a singlepiece or formed in any other manner.

The container for the foot rest 1, a polishing brush and a box ofblacking, may be formed of two sheet metal portions 11, that haveflanged sides joined to ends 16. These flanges may terminate in beadededges 15.

Thehalves 11 are hinged together at 12 in any suitable manner and a.spring catch 14 may be used to hold them in engagement with, each otherwhile the kit is closed. 7 The end flanges 16 are perforated so as toreceive the feet 9 of the legs 8 of the bails 7. Where the feet 9 passthrough the end flanges 16 they may be riveted over at 10 to prevent theparts becoming disconnected, or any other expedient may be used withoutthe riveted ends. A handle 13 of any desired shape may be provided. Thebails 7 as shown in Fig. 4 engage the 'under side of the foot rest 1 andthe central web 2 which at the ends of the foot rest depends below thecentral portion of the web so as to cooperate with the legs 8 in holdingthe foot rest approximately parallel to the box halves when it is fullyopened as shown in Fig. 1.

It will be seen from this description and the illustrations on thedrawing that the kit is exceedingly simple filling an urgent need whichis believed to have not been met heretofore. A sheet metal box is shownbut I do not limit myself to this form of box as any other type made ofwood, or otherwise, is equally serviceable.

Instead of the riveted ends 10, the feet 9 may simply project throughthe openings in the end flanges 16, the spring of the legs 8.

til

case a metal box is used it can be readily cleaned and washed as needed.

What I claim is:

1. In folding shoe polishing kits, a pair of flanged members, a footrest positioned above said members and held by a pair of bails both ofwhich are in pivotal relation to the flanges of the members and the footrest, and means for separately hinging the flanged members to each otheradapting the same to encase the foot rest when the members are closed.

2. A portable shoe shining kit comprising a foot rest, a two-partflanged folding receptacle for enclosing the foot rest, means forpivoting the foot rest on a pair of bails, means for pivoting one of thebails to the flanges of one part of the receptacle, means for separatelypivoting the other bail to the other part of the receptacle, means forhinging a flange of one part to a flange of the other part of thereceptacle, whereby as the receptacle is opened into a horizontalposition the foot rest is automatically moved into and held in a raisedposition above the flanges, said flanges also serving to confine thedirt removed from a shoe Within the opened halves of he receptacle.

3. in an enclosing shoe shining foot rest, a foldable hinged receptacleconstituting a hollow flanged compartment when the receptacle is closed,a foot rest in pivotal relation to each half of the receptacle supportedby a pair of bails, both of said bails being pivoted in the flanges,means for retaining the face of the foot rest approximately parallelwith the halves of the receptacle when in its opened position andparallel with the flanges when the receptacle is closed. 7

4. A two-part folding box, the two parts being in substantialduplication of each other comprising upturned flanges formed around eachpart, means for hinging the two parts to each other, a foot rest, a bailin pivotal relation to one side of the foot rest and having its freeends pivoted to one part of the box, and a separate bail similarlyconnecting the other side of the foot rest to the other part of the boX.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROSS WINSHIP.

